pitiful in WordNet English dictionary

1. bad; unfortunate
   "my finances were in a deplorable state"; "a lamentable decision"; "her clothes were in sad shape"; "a sorry state of affairs"
   deplorable  distressing  lamentable  pitiful  sad  sorry 
   
2. deserving or inciting pity
   "a hapless victim"; "miserable victims of war"; "the shabby room struck her as extraordinarily pathetic"- Galsworthy; "piteous appeals for help"; "pitiable homeless children"; "a pitiful fate"; "Oh, you poor thing"; "his poor distorted limbs"; "a wretched life"
   hapless  miserable  misfortunate  pathetic  piteous  pitiable  pitiful  poor  wretched 
   
3. inspiring mixed contempt and pity
   "their efforts were pathetic"; "pitiable lack of character"; "pitiful exhibition of cowardice"
   pathetic  pitiable  pitiful